City Council

Oak Harbor City Council Special Meeting Minutes – Mayor and Council Retreat February 12, 2024 This meeting took place at the Whidbey Campus of Skagit Valley College, Room A306, 1900 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. The meeting was recorded but not broadcast. CALL TO ORDER Refreshments were available for participants beginning at 8:15 a.m. Mayor Wright called the special meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Staff Present: Mayor Ronnie Wright City Administrator Blaine Oborn Mayor Pro Tem Tara Hizon Deputy City Admin. & Finance Director David Goldman Councilmember Jim Woessner Development Services Director David Kuhl Councilmember Brian Stucky Public Works Director Steve Schuller Councilmember Shane Hoffmire Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith Councilmember Eric Marshall City Engineer Alex Warner Councilmember Christopher Wiegenstein Police Chief Tony Slowik Councilmember Barbara Armes Human Resources Director Emma House Grants Administrator Wendy Horn Executive Services Administrator Sabrina Combs Executive Assistant Macalle Finkle City Clerk Julie Nester Also in attendance: City Attorney Hillary Evans of Kenyon Disend, PLLC CONTINENTAL REFRESHMENTS WELCOME – MAYOR’S OPENING REMARKS Mayor Wright noted this was a special meeting for the purpose of holding the annual Mayor and Council Retreat. He thanked Council and staff for their attendance and taking this time to work together. City Administrator Oborn introduced retreat facilitator: Finance Consultant Mike Bailey. Mr. Bailey has over 40 years of experience in local government finance and technology leadership. In addition to work- ing with boards and councils, Mike served as a consultant and training instructor for the Municipal Re- source Service Center (MRSC) and as finance director for several cities, including service as Interim Finance Director for the City of Oak Harbor prior to the hiring of Director Goldman. Mr. Bailey thanked Mayor Wright and the City for inviting him to facilitate the retreat. Special Meeting – Mayor & Council Retreat Minutes February 12, 2024 Page 1 of 3 MUNICIPAL BUDGETING: AN ORIENTATION FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHER LEADERS Mr. Baley reviewed terminology, funds, requirements for municipal budgets, key elements of budget best practices/budget policies, getting the most of the budget process, additional resources and policy guidance for upcoming budgeting. He noted that “we do what we fund”. The importance of financial policies, and the how, and with what and who to be considered in operations. Mr. Bailey also made note of the need to elaborate on the public’s role in the budget process, and to make certain the public is part of the conversation as the City is charged with collecting and spending the public’s money. BREAK MUNICIPAL BUDGETING ORIENTATION, CONTINUED Mr. Bailey continued the orientation. WORKING LUNCH – REPORT ON GRANTS Grants Administrator Horn provided the Mayor and Council with an update on grants received and ap- plied for in the past year, as well as grants the City is working to apply for in the year ahead. SOCIAL MEDIA, PUBLIC RECORDS, AND CODE OF CONDUCT City Attorney Evans reviewed the general roles of the Mayor and Council, and the running of meetings using Robert’s Rules of Order. Attorney Evans also reviewed the definition and management of public records. CITY COUNCIL DO’S AND DON’T’s Rob Roscoe Deputy Director of Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA) provided an overview of the insurance authority and the roles of the Council in avoiding liability. SOCIAL MEDIA, PUBLIC RECORDS, AND CODE OF CONDUCT City Attorney Evans continued her review of the rules governing public records and social media best practices. She also led a discussion of a Mayor and Council Code of Ethics and Conduct. BREAK THE CONCEPT OF BROAD POLICY GOALS Mr. Bailey reviewed the concept of broad policy goals, or specifically, the What, When, and How Much the goal entails. THE ASSIGNMENT & GET TO WORK The Mayor, Council, and senior staff provided their listing of broad goals they would like to see the City pursue, with 15 broad goals identified: Central Development Area / Central Business District A Civic Indoor/Outdoor Recreation Complex, including a pool Trail System / Alternative Transportation Plan Marina / Breakwater – Marina Redevelopment Special Meeting – Mayor & Council Retreat Minutes February 12, 2024 Page 2 of 3 Expanding the Joint Planning Area – Expanding City Boundaries Housing Infrastructure (City Hall, Police Department, Facilities, Roads, Utilities) Quality of Life / Safety Traffic Safety in Neighborhoods Economic Growth Cost Recovery Representative Government Sustainability Increase Organizational Efficiency Affordability DEBRIEF AND FINALIZE POLICY GOALS The Mayor, Council and senior staff were then asked to determine their top four areas of priorities and goals from this list. Those items were: Central Development Area / Central Business District Recreation Center / Pool / Civic Marina Infrastructure / Facilities Quality of Life / Safety Housing Affordability Representative Government CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS Staff will review the guidance provided and bring a more detailed summary of the items discussed to a future Council workshop for further discussion. ADJOURN Mayor Wright thanked the Council, staff and all participants for their attendance and adjourned the special meeting at 4:30 p.m. Certified by Julie Nester, City Clerk Special Meeting – Mayor & Council Retreat Minutes February 12, 2024 Page 3 of 3